This week (Friday 20th July) sees the launch of an exciting new dining concept for Manchester. SoLIta Bar and Grill on Turner Street in the northern quarter is named after its historical location ‘South of Little Italy’ when the streets of Ancoats were home to a thriving Italian community.
Open for lunch and dinner from eleven til eleven, SoLIta’s unique menu brings together the flavours and styles of New York, Italy and Manchester.
The kitchen boasts Manchester’s first Inka charcoal oven – described as the ultimate chef’s tool, Inka ovens use charcoal instead of gas or electric to produce superb barbecue flavours in a restaurant environment.
Based in The Margolis – one of the northern quarter’s most interesting new buildings, SoLIta is all about a warm welcome and tasty, comforting food with a pleasing, creative nod to great local produce. Take for instance SoLIta’s dessert menu, the Cabrelli’s – Ancoat’s original Italian ice cream family has re-created one of their original ice creams for SoLIta and now it boasts a playful modern twist, thanks to the addition of bacon candy.
Diners and drinkers can choose from original small plate dishes to eat at the bar starting at £2.90 – from pulled pork sundaes and sourdough toast with bacon jam to salt cod balls or Prestwich salt beef with 60/40 mash (that’s a decadent combination of 60 per cent potato 40 per cent butter) and dill pickles.
Mains start at £8.90 and include hanger steaks, deep fried mac n cheese with pulled pork, special short ribs, grilled salmon steaks with SoLIta rub and classic burgers with added bone marrow, all served with 60/40 mash or triple cooked chips. Sides include chow chow slaw, creamed spinach and Inka grilled vegetables with smoked butter.
An expertly stocked bar includes Fentimans bottled sodas, bottled craft beer, ale and cider, draught beers and house wines served in carafes.
Equipped with Inka ovens and a soulful, unique menu, SoLIta aims to become a destination restaurant for the city’s meat lovers, shoppers and diners from the suburbs looking for a new dining experience.
The venue is headed up by former Teacup manager, Dom Sotgiu and his team of young chefs. Born in Bolton, Dom is of Irish Italian heritage and has drawn on his families’ influences and experiences to create the menu. Commenting on the launch Dom said:
“I’m passionate about food and always have been. I cook with love and start everything from fresh, basic, organic or free range ingredients. My father taught me to cook at home and inspired me to experiment with flavours and techniques. We’re looking forward to creating exciting food, deliciously cooked and served with care.”
SoLIta also offers excellent private dining spaces for tailor-made parties and celebrations and its stylish basement can accommodate 75 diners or be used as a more informal bar or lounge.
Visit www.solita.co.uk
Solita, Turner Street, Manchester. Contact 0161 839 2200
